Partner
Erin Sommers, Ph.D., helps clients protect their valuable IP rights at every stage, from strategic counseling and procuring patents before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to representing clients in contentious proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and U.S. federal courts.
Erin focuses her practice on Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) litigation, post-grant proceedings, and counseling, primarily in the chemical and pharmaceutical areas. Her litigation experience ranges from pre-litigation analyses through trial at the district court and on to appeals before the Federal Circuit. Erin also routinely represents both patentees and petitioners in post-grant proceedings before the PTAB. In her prosecution practice, she assists clients with global management of their patent portfolios and has successfully argued on their behalf before the PTAB in ex parte appeals.
Before joining Finnegan, Erin studied organic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed organic synthetic methods for preparing substituted alkenes and allenes. Her background includes research in the areas of catalysis, organo-metallic synthesis, biochemistry, and cellular and molecular physiology.
Erin previously served as a member of the firm's management committee.
Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH v. Eli Lilly and Company
2020-1747, -1748, -1749, -1750, -1751, -1752, -1876, -1877, -1878, Fed. Cir.
Sandoz, Inc. et al v. Pharmacyclics LLC
IPR2019-00865, PTAB, Judges Cotta, Snedden, Mitchell
Eli Lilly and Company v. Teva Pharmaceuticals International
IPR2018-01422; -01423; -01424; -01425; -01426; -01427; -01710, -01711, -01712, PTAB
Event
Prosecuting Your Patent Application to Prepare for Challenge Prosecuting Your Patent Application to Prepare for Challenge
June 16, 2022
Webinar
Articles
2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Obtaining Patent Rights 2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Obtaining Patent Rights
July 2021
Natural Products ConsultingEvent
Preparing for U.S. Litigation – Essentials for the EU Practitioner Preparing for U.S. Litigation – Essentials for the EU Practitioner
May 19, 2021
Webinar
Conference
Pharma & Biotech Patent Litigation in Europe Pharma & Biotech Patent Litigation in Europe
February 23-25, 2021
Virtual
Media Mention
Women in Business Law Americas Awards 2024: Three Finnegan Attorneys Shortlisted Women in Business Law Americas Awards 2024: Three Finnegan Attorneys Shortlisted
April 7, 2024
Women in Business LawMedia Mention
2021 Patent Litigation Year in Review 2021 Patent Litigation Year in Review
February 4, 2022
Docket NavigatorMedia Mention
Biogen MS Drug Patent Survives Mylan's PTAB Challenge Biogen MS Drug Patent Survives Mylan's PTAB Challenge
February 6, 2020
Law360Press Release
Working Mother Names Finnegan the Top Firm for Diversity and Accountability Working Mother Names Finnegan the Top Firm for Diversity and Accountability
July 31, 2018
Media Mention
USPTO Rule on Agent-Client Privilege Helps, but Gaps Persist USPTO Rule on Agent-Client Privilege Helps, but Gaps Persist
November 9, 2017
Law360Media Mention
Life Science Strategies in the U.S. Life Science Strategies in the U.S.
July 6, 2017
Managing Intellectual PropertyDue to international data regulations, we’ve updated our privacy policy. Click here to read our privacy policy in full.
We use cookies on this website to provide you with the best user experience. By accepting cookies, you agree to our use of cookies. Please note that if you opt not to accept or if you disable cookies, the “Your Finnegan” feature on this website will be disabled as well. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.
Finnegan is thrilled to announce the launch of our new blog, Ad Law Buzz, devoted solely to breaking news, developments, trends, and analysis in advertising law.